Press Release
☷The European Democratic Resilience Initiative United States Department of State
U.S. Department of State ( By Press Release office)
Apr 27,2022
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On March 24 , President Biden announced the launch of the European Democratic Resilience Initiative ( EDRI ) to bolster democratic resilience , advance anti - corruption efforts , and defend human rights in Ukraine and its neighbors in response Russia’s war of aggression . Working with Congress , the Biden Administration aims to harness the EDRI to provide up to $320 million in new funding to address immediate and medium - term needs in Europe and Eurasia . The EDRI will complement the global Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal announced by President Biden at the December 2021 Summit for Democracy , as well as efforts to counter Russia’s kleptocracy through the international Russian Elites , Proxies , and Oligarchs ( REPO ) and the U . S . - interagency law enforcement KleptoCapture task forces . EDRI - supported programs and projects will be closely coordinated with the EU and other donors . This Fact Sheet provides information on the EDRI’s initial funding priorities and focus . Additional information will be released as the U . S . Government continues to address evolving needs in Ukraine and the region . Urgent Needs: The EDRI will prioritize support for immediate human rights priorities in Ukraine and its surrounding region , including by promoting accountability as a deterrent to further atrocities , and addressing risks to vulnerable and at - risk groups fleeing Ukraine and repression across Eurasia . Working with Congress , the State Department and USAID anticipate providing an initial $80 million of the overall EDRI funding amount to support the following urgent needs:Advancing Accountability: To promote justice and accountability for atrocities committed by Russia’s forces in Ukraine , the EDRI will:Provide expert support and capacity - building for the war crimes units under the Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General ( OPG ) , assisting these offices in accomplishing their mandate of investigating and prosecuting war crimes and other serious international crimes . Support an online platform for the documentation , verification , and dissemination of evidence of Russia’s human rights violations and abuses , war crimes , and other violations of international humanitarian law in the conflict in Ukraine . Support the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine ( HRMMU ) to expand its work in response to Russia’s full - scale invasion of Ukraine . Support Ukrainian civil society efforts to monitor and document violations of international humanitarian law and human rights violations and abuses; and provide training for legal professionals and monitors on international human rights law; and training and support for media coverage of war crimes and atrocitiesDefending Journalists , Civic Activists and At - Risk Groups: The EDRI will enhance the safety , security , and operational effectiveness of journalists , and pro - democracy , human rights , and anti - corruption activists inside and outside of Ukraine . The EDRI will specifically support:Logistical and operational support to civil society activists , lawyers , journalists , and human rights defenders who have been forced to flee their home country to help them remain engaged in their relevant work from abroad . Core funding for Ukrainian national media outlets to maintain operations and continue support for sub - national media . Digital security and connectivity of Ukrainian civil society activists and organizations , and civil society efforts to address urgent needs of IDPs and vulnerable populations . Programming to mitigate the impact of disinformation campaigns , including implementation of specific countermeasures . Grantmaking , convening , and emergency support to a wide range of civil society and media entities throughout Eurasia . Medium - Term Needs: The State Department and USAID anticipate that , working with Congress , the EDRI will maintain its focus on pressing needs , while also expanding its focus to address medium - term needs in Ukraine and the Europe and Eurasia region , including by:Bolstering Human Rights and Democracy in Europe: The EDRI will strengthen government institutions and non - governmental capacity and resiliency to support the needs of both local populations and refugees in Europe and Eurasia . Advancing Anti - Corruption Efforts: The EDRI will expand rapid response capabilities and technical assistance to build resilience in the face of Kremlin - led and - influenced strategic corruption and kleptocracy . Sustaining Civil Society and Independent Media: The EDRI will work to sustain civil society , pro - democracy organizations and movements , and independent media operating throughout the region , including in restrictive operating environments .
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